Letter to the Editor of the Columbus Dispatch

This letter is in response to a letter to the editor written last week by Rod Parsley, pastor of World Harvest Church, in which he explained why he feels nonprofit agencies should be allowed to campaign for and endorse political candidates.

I find it interesting that Rod Parsley feels the need to campaign for the rights of non profit agencies to endorse and support political candidates. Anyone who has seen his show on cable or been to a service has been preached to about the dangers of homosexuality and abortion. They have been told that good Christians support the conservatives no matter what the issue. They have been told that political issues are indeed Christian issues and that Senate procedures have an impact on Christianity. He has even had Republican political speakers speak at his church and has held events to support Ken Blackwell. If he hasn’t gotten his non-profit status taken away yet I doubt he is in danger in the future. Unless Mr. Parsley plans to kick out members of his own congregation who don’t agree with his agenda. Why else the new campaign to remove this law?

In fact, I think it would hurt conservatives more than help them. There are thousands of non-profit organizations that would endorse democratic candidates. It is well known that most people who volunteer or work for service organizations (usually non-profit) are liberals. That is where we get that saying “bleeding heart liberals.” All those people who want to help others (or as conservatives would say, “give handouts”) usually vote democratic. The people who work in soup kitchens and mental health centers vote democratic. People who work in domestic violence shelters and jobs programs vote democratic. I can’t guarantee democratic votes from Habitat for Humanity employees, UNICEF, Lutheran Social Services, Volunteers of America, etc. would be for democrats but I would venture to say a solid majority would. I can say that these people regularly uphold the values of erasing poverty and the plight of the low and middle class in America and around the world. These organization would like to see the huge difference between the “haves and the have nots” erased. These are the types of organizations that would endorse candidates who want to increase the minimum wage, make it possible for people to own homes, end hunger and poverty in the world, and offer health care to every person. Then, of course, there are the hundreds of non-profit organizations that are trying to save our environment. Who do you think they would endorse? There are also thousands of other churches in America who would be preaching the exact opposite message of Mr. Parsley. A message of compassion, humility and grace. He may speak loudly to his congregation however he is not the only voice of Christianity in America.

Mr. Parsley and others who want to rewrite the law have not considered the real issue.
Money is the real issue. If we give our money to our church or to any non-profit organization do we really want it used for political ads and campaign parties? Do we want to give our money to charity or church and wonder if they are going to use it to bring a political operative to Columbus to speak? Do we want to give money to help end poverty and then find out they used it to get someone elected? I think the law was put in place to protect against this exact problem. It would be a dilemma where there is no clear line. Money given to end poverty could be used to get a candidate elected who promises to try to reduce the poverty rate. Technically it would be going to what it is supposed to go to. Would Rod Parsley approve of this action if it was going to the opposing candidate? Doubtful. Changing laws based on how they benefit you at the moment is a mistake the Senate almost made by ending the filibuster option. Now they are going to shoot themselves in the foot yet again by trying to stop a law that was put in place to protect us all, including the non-profit organizations. We have enough corruption in corporate America. Let’s not let it take over our churches and non-profit organizations as well!